Sometimes we don’t realize how important our habits are until they become so ingrained in us that we don’t know how we ever got by without them. That’s how I feel about washing my face. Like most teens of my time, I went from having unmarred skin to a sea of red moguls in what felt like the time it took to finish an episode of Full House. Zero to acne, if you will.

Since then, I've learned a few tricks that have helped keep my skin clear (or at least clearer—some days are better than others). But given how active I am, one tip stands out as having helped the most: develop a post-workout skin care routine.

Why washing your face post-workout matters—a lot.

I've always been active and, truthfully, I never washed my face until I got home at the end of the day—that is, until it became clear that there was a direct correlation between how long I left sweat on my skin and the intensity of the breakouts I'd have later on. Now it seems so obvious; my face was dirty, and my pores were clogged. I didn’t know, as Jill Javehery, M.D. says, that post-workout care is crucial to clear, healthy skin.

Here’s what my routine looks like.

Nowadays, regardless of the activity I do, I bring a small arsenal of skin care products with me. Before I work out, I make sure to take off any makeup or skin product I have on. This ensures that when I sweat, I’m not driving lotion or oils deeper into my pores.

“Try to clean off makeup before exercise, especially if it contains silicones, which can clog up your pores as you sweat,” says integrative dermatologist Cybele Fishman. “I don’t use any skin care products with silicones, as I feel like my skin can’t breathe."

Fishman also recommends keeping your hair off your face as much as possible, either with a hair tie or headband, especially if you have any sort of hair product in.

After my workout, depending if it’s in the morning or at night, I either shower or wash my face immediately in the locker room. I don’t use anything abrasive right away, because my skin is usually red post-workout (which means I’m dealing with some post-workout inflammation), and I don’t want to irritate it in any way.

Taking care of my skin post-workout has been a real game-changer for me. I leave the gym or studio feeling lighter, cleaner, and like I did something that I’ll thank myself for later. Sometimes the most obvious solutions are the ones we need the most—and sometimes (for me) self-care can be as simple as skin care.